Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Gene Ther 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Research Center for Gene Therapy, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo Rua Mirassol, 207 CEP 04044-010, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is the main tumor-associated antigen of colorectal cancers. Previously, we developed a DNA vaccine using scFv6.C4, a CEA surrogate, against CEA-expressing tumors; 40% of the vaccinated mice were tumor-free after tumor challenge. Read More

Prev Med 2019 Feb 11. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-0587, USA. Electronic address:

Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination and influenza vaccination are recommended during pregnancy primarily to prevent influenza and pertussis in mothers and their infants. This study examines associations between prenatal Tdap vaccination and influenza vaccination of mothers and hepatitis B vaccination of their infants. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from electronic medical records from 15,468 deliveries to 14,925 mothers occurring April 2, 2014-December 3, 2016 at a university hospital in Texas. Read More

Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2019 Feb 13;144(4):239-243. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

The epidemiological effect of vaccination is that it primarily reduces the incidence and prevalence of infectious agents and diseases, providing ideal conditions (also from an economic point of view) for prevention. Goal of vaccination is first the individual protection. Other goals may be "herd immunity", regional repression and global extinction. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2018 Jul 26. Epub 2018 Jul 26.

Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital of Geneva, University Hospitals of Geneva.

Background: Protection induced by acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines is partial and short-lived, especially in teenagers, calling for novel immunization strategies.

Methods: We conducted an investigator-driven proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial in aP-primed adolescents in Geneva to assess the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a novel recombinant aP (r-aP) vaccine including recombinant pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) coadministered with tetanus-diphtheria toxoids (Td), compared to a licensed tetanus-diphtheria-aP vaccine containing chemically detoxified PT (cd/Tdap). The primary immunological endpoints were day 28/365 geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of total and neutralizing anti-PT antibodies. Read More

PLoS One 2019 13;14(2):e0210663. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Pathology and Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America.

While exposure to radiation can be lifesaving in certain settings, it can also potentially result in long-lasting adverse effects, particularly to hematopoietic and immune cells. This study investigated hematopoietic recovery and immune function in rhesus macaques Cross-sectionally (at a single time point) 2 to 5 years after exposure to a single large dose (6.5 to 8. Read More

Clin Exp Immunol 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Section of Paediatrics, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK.

The maternal Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis) vaccination program in the UK has successfully reduced cases of pertussis in young infants. In addition to prevention of pertussis cases, it is also important to investigate persistence of maternal antibody during infancy and possible interference of maternal antibodies with infant responses to vaccines. We recruited mother-infant pairs from vaccinated and unvaccinated pregnancies and measured concentrations of IgG against pertussis toxin (PTx), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), pertactin (Prn), diphtheria toxin (DTx), tetanus toxoid (TTx) Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Streptococcus pneumoniae in mothers and infants at birth, and in infants at 7 weeks and at 5 months. Read More

Euro Surveill 2019 Feb;24(6)

Chief Scientist, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel.

BackgroundChildhood vaccination schedules recommend vaccine doses at predefined ages.AimWe evaluated vaccination completeness and timeliness in Jerusalem, a district with recurrent vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.MethodsVaccination coverage was monitored by the up-to-date method (vaccination completeness at age 2 years). Read More

Pediatr Ann 2019 Feb;48(2):e71-e77

Human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted viral infection worldwide, is the causative agent for cervical cancer and attributed to anogenital cancers as well as oropharyngeal cancer. Three effective, safe, prophylactic HPV vaccines have been licensed, and studies have demonstrated decreases in HPV prevalence and HPV-related disease endpoints without evidence of waning protection to date. In the United States, only the 9-valent vaccine, which covers 90% of the cancers attributed to HPV in US registries, is available. Read More

Dig Dis Sci 2019 Feb 12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop F-78, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA.

Background: Previous reports suggest that adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) receive suboptimal preventive care.

Aims: The population-based study compared the receipt of these services by US adults with and without IBD.

Methods: Adults aged ≥ 18 years with IBD (1. Read More

Vaccine 2019 Feb 6. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Immunization Action Coalition, St. Paul, MN, United States.

Despite recommendations for vaccinating adults and widespread availability of immunization services (e.g., pharmacy venues, workplace wellness clinics), vaccination rates in the United States remain low. Read More

Gates Open Res 2018 Dec 16;2:71. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

The effect of immunization does not only depend on its completeness, but also on its timely administration. Routine childhood vaccinations schedules recommend that children receive the vaccine doses at specific ages. This article attempts to assess timeliness of routine vaccination coverage among a sub-sample of children from a survey conducted in 2016. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Feb 7;9(1):1634. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada.

Clostridial neurotoxins (CNTs), which include botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT), are the most potent toxins known to science and are the causative agents of botulism and tetanus, respectively. The evolutionary origins of CNTs and their relationships to other proteins remains an intriguing question. Here we present a large-scale bioinformatic screen for putative toxin genes in all currently available genomes. Read More

Cien Saude Colet 2019 Feb;24(2):351-360

Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei. R. Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho 400/sala 207/bl, Chanadour. 35501-296 Divinópolis MG, Brasil.

A cross-sectional study in conjunction with a health extension program was conducted with 605 adolescents aged between 13 and 18 years from 22 public schools in Divinópolis, Brazil. The aim of the study was to determine the vaccination status of the adolescents and their level of knowledge of communicable and vaccine-preventable diseases. Three-stage cluster sampling was used comprising schools, classes, and students. Read More

Hosp Pharm 2019 Feb 18;54(1):45-50. Epub 2018 Apr 18.

The University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, USA.

Tetanus vaccinations for wound prophylaxis are routinely administered in emergency departments (ED). Current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding tetanus administration for wound prophylaxis differentiate between the tetanus and diphtheria (Td) and the tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) formulations and when they should be administered. Lack of knowledge regarding these recommendations, different formulations, and techniques to locate patient immunization history can lend to increased duplicate and inappropriate vaccinations. Read More

Neuron 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Electronic address:

Regulated secretion is critical for diverse biological processes ranging from immune and endocrine signaling to synaptic transmission. Botulinum and tetanus neurotoxins, which specifically proteolyze vesicle fusion proteins involved in regulated secretion, have been widely used as experimental tools to block these processes. Genetic expression of these toxins in the nervous system has been a powerful approach for disrupting neurotransmitter release within defined circuitry, but their current utility in the brain and elsewhere remains limited by lack of spatial and temporal control. Read More

Pediatr Emerg Care 2019 Jan 29. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

From the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, and.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether emergency department (ED) providers are able to accurately assess whether a child with a laceration needs tetanus prophylaxis.

Methods: We conducted an 8-month prospective cross-sectional study of children presenting with a laceration to a pediatric ED. We asked ED providers whether tetanus prophylaxis was necessary. Read More

Am J Addict 2019 Jan 31. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Background And Objective: Methamphetamine (MA) substance use disorder (SUD) does not have an efficacious pharmacotherapy. We developed a MA vaccine and investigated its potential to attenuate MA induced responses.

Methods: We examined a novel adjuvant, E6020, a Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) agonist combined with tetanus-toxoid conjugated to succinyl-methamphetamine (TT-SMA) adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide (alum). Read More

BMJ Open 2019 Jan 29;9(1):e025113. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Introduction: Childhood vaccination programmes have been established in all Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries; however, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) as well as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio (Tdap-IPV) vaccination rates are not optimal in adolescents. Education in combination with easy access vaccination may be a promising approach to improve vaccination rates. We aim at improving MMR and Tdap-IPV rates in a school setting in the context of a planned cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT), the present paper describes the detailed protocol of this trial. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019 Jan 29;16(3). Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Science, Chengdu 610041, China.

Despite the importance of health vulnerability in disaster risk assessment, most of the existing disaster vulnerability indicators only emphasize economic and social vulnerability. Important underlying health risks such as non-communicable disease are not included in vulnerability measures. A three-phase methodology approach was used to construct a disaster risk model that includes a number of key health indicators which might be missing in global disaster risk analysis. Read More

Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2018 ;118(10. Vyp. 2):67-71

Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia.

This literature review addresses the risk of vaccination complications including neurological ones. Some vaccines associated with vaccine-induced febrile seizures (FS), e.g. Read More

Emerg Med J 2019 Feb;36(2):65-71

Department of Plastic Surgery, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK.

Introduction: This case involved a 15-year-old boy, who slipped and impaled his left hand on a wooden beam. An initial anterior-posterior radiograph was obtained prior to referral to plastic surgery for further management (figure 1).emermed;36/2/65/F1F1F1Figure 1Clinical photographs and initial X-ray taken of the impalement injury. Read More

BMC Med 2019 Jan 30;17(1):22. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: Antibodies against merozoite antigens are key components of malaria immunity. The naturally acquired antibody response to these antigens is generally considered short-lived; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Prospective studies of travellers with different levels of prior exposure, returning to malaria-free countries with Plasmodium infection, offer a unique opportunity to investigate the kinetics and composition of the antibody response after natural infection. Read More

Se Pu 2019 Feb;37(2):155-161

Shimadzu Scientific Instrument Company, Beijing 100020, China.

Tracheal cytotoxin (TCT) is a toxic glycopeptide, which contribute to the adverse effects of pertussis toxin (PT) and related vaccines. Although pharmacopeias limit the amount of TCT in PT product, there is no recommended TCT determination method in any pharmacopeia. In this study, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to determine TCT. Read More

Methods 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd, 212/2, Hadapsar, Pune, Maharashtra, 411028, India. Electronic address:

We describe here a magnetic bead-based multiplex (pentaplex) immunoassay (MIA) platform developed as an alternative to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) used in immunogenicity testing of DTaP/TdaP vaccine in animals. MIA simultaneously measures the concentration of serum (IgG) antibodies against B. Pertussis antigens; pertussis toxin, , filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), pertactin (PRN) and tetanus (T) and diphtheria (D) toxoid in the Tdap vaccine immunized animals. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 31;2018:6057348. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, 20 Dongdajie Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, China.

The demand of tetanus antitoxin (TAT) as tetanus treatment in developing and underdeveloped countries is still great since it is relatively easy to achieve and affordable. However, there are still issues in the preparation of highly effective TAT with tetanus toxoid (TT) as the immunogen. The tetanus toxin native C-fragment (TeNT-Hc) retains many properties and it is a very promising candidate for the development of tetanus human vaccine. Read More

J Korean Med Sci 2019 Jan 16;34(4):e31. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Department of Pediatrics, Seoul St. Mary's Hosptial, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

Background: This study was conducted to assess the immunogenicity and safety of GC1107 (adult tetanus diphtheria [Td] vaccine). The primary goal was to evaluate the non-inferiority of the immunogenicity of GC1107 compared to the control vaccine. Additionally, the safety profiles of GC1107 and the control vaccine were compared. Read More

J Am Assoc Nurse Pract 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Approximately 27,000 men and women are affected by human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancer every year. The Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) routinely recommend that adolescents receive HPV, tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis [Tdap]) and meningococcal (MCV) vaccines at age 11-12 years. Although the CDC and professional organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics make national vaccine recommendations, according to the National Vaccine Information Center, it is the responsibility of "state health departments to make and enforce vaccine mandates for school entry. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019 Jan 24:1-9. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

a The Ritchie Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Monash University , Clayton , Australia.

The Maternal Neonatal Tetanus Elimination program is proof of concept for the feasibility and potential for maternal immunization to reduce neonatal mortality particularly in low and middle-income countries. Introduction of any additional vaccine into the antenatal space, such as Influenza and Pertussis, and potentially Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Group B Streptococcus vaccines in the future, requires strengthening of antenatal care and immunization services. Successful implementation also requires robust disease surveillance in pregnant women and neonates and active surveillance for adverse events following immunization to monitor the impact and ensure the safe use of the vaccine. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019 Jan 24. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

a Hubert Department of Global Health , Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University , Atlanta GA , USA.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake consistently lags behind that of other adolescent vaccines. In 2017, uptake of a single HPV vaccine dose and HPV vaccine series completion was 66% and 49%, respectively, compared to uptake of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine (89%) and quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (85%). Reasons for not vaccinating adolescents again HPV are varied, and in many cases, are rooted in commonly spread myths and misperceptions about the vaccine. Read More

Pediatrics 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Nutrition Department and

Background: The intestinal microbiome in early infancy affects immunologic development and thus may affect vaccine memory, though few prospective studies have examined such associations. We examined the association of levels in early infancy with memory responses to early vaccination measured at 2 years of age.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, we examined the association of abundance in the stool of healthy infants at 6 to 15 weeks of age, near the time of vaccination, with T-cell and antibody responses measured at 6 weeks, 15 weeks, and 2 years of age. Read More

J Immunol 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106;

Infections during pregnancy can expose the fetus to microbial Ags, leading to inflammation that affects B cell development. Prenatal fetal immune priming may have an important role in infant acquisition of pathogen-specific immunity. We examined plasma proinflammatory biomarkers, the proportions of various B cell subsets, and fetal priming to tetanus vaccination in cord blood from human United States and Kenyan neonates. Read More

Eur J Gen Pract 2019 Jan 23:1-6. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

a Conseil Scientifique du Collège National des Généralistes Enseignants (CNGE) , Paris , France.

In this opinion paper, the authors argue that the extension of mandatory immunization of infants up to two years of age from three diseases (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis) to 11 diseases, introduced in France in January 2018, is not a sustainable response to the challenge of controlling vaccine-preventable diseases. In France in 2017, infant immunization coverage (IC) rates were sufficiently high or increasing (hepatitis B), except for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and meningococcus C disease. Even if vaccination obligation makes it possible to achieve the MMR IC objectives among infants, communication programmes and supported advice from GPs are essential for the catch-up of susceptible adults to obtain herd immunity. Read More

PLoS One 2019 22;14(1):e0210836. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Nutrition Section, UNICEF India, Country Office, New Delhi, India.

Over 70 million women of reproductive age are undernourished in India. Most poverty alleviation programs have not been systematically evaluated to assess impact on women's empowerment and nutrition outcomes. National Rural Livelihoods Mission's poverty alleviation and livelihoods generation initiative is an opportune platform to layer women's nutrition interventions being tapped by project Swabhimaan in three eastern Indian states-Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

e Department of Pediatrics , Korea University College of Medicine , Seoul , Republic of Korea.

Infanrix-IPV (GSK, Belgium) is a diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, and inactivated poliovirus combination vaccine (DTaP-IPV) licensed in many countries including Korea. In accordance with Korean regulations, we conducted a post-marketing surveillance (PMS) to evaluate the safety of DTaP-IPV administered to Korean children in routine immunization schedules. Children aged <7 years receiving at least one dose of DTaP-IPV either as part of a primary (3-dose) vaccination series or as a subsequent booster were enrolled. Read More

J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2019 Jan 21:e22290. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

In this study, we examined the relative immune response of T-lymphocytes and its intracellular cholesterol homeostasis, in a mouse model system, after treatment with immunogen, mitogen, and carcinogen. We studied the T-lymphocyte percentage, their LDL-receptor expression, along with the levels of serum interleukins (IL-2, IFNγ, IL-4, and IL-10) and intracellular cholesterol concentration (cytoplasmic and nuclear). The mitogen was found to be a better stimulator of T-cell marker expressions than the immunogen; though the immunogen was more effective on immunogenic response as was marked from interleukin levels. Read More

Patient Prefer Adherence 2019 8;13:91-99. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada,

Background: Immunizations represent a successful and cost-effective public health strategy in preventing common childhood diseases. Ethiopia has made remarkable progress in increasing its full immunization coverage, but significant gaps remain. This study aims to measure the preference in the use of full immunizations for children aged 12-23 months in Ethiopia and examine the role of key maternal health services. Read More

J Hum Lact 2019 Jan 18:890334418823539. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

1 National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.

Background: In Italy, there is no widespread standardized national monitoring system for breastfeeding practices.

Research Aims: To estimate breastfeeding indicators according to World Health Organization recommendations and associated socioeconomic factors, highlighting the potential and limitations of vaccination centers as sources of data.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the vaccination centers of 13 Local Health Districts in Italy. Read More

Pediatrics 2019 Jan 17. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.

Background: Rotavirus vaccines (RVVs) were included in the US immunization program in 2006 and are coadministered with the diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, yet their coverage lags behind DTaP. We assessed timing, initiation, and completion of the RVV series among children enrolled in active gastroenteritis surveillance at 7 US medical institutions during 2014-2016.

Methods: We compared coverage and timing of each vaccine series and analyzed characteristics associated with RVV initiation and completion. Read More

PLoS One 2019 17;14(1):e0210284. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America.

Spaceflight affects the immune system, but the effects on the antibody repertoire, responsible for humoral immunity, has not been well explored. In particular, the complex gene assembly and expression process; including mutations, might make this process vulnerable. Complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3), composed of parts of the V-(D-)J-gene segments, is very important for antigen binding and can be used as an important measure of variability. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Dec 7;1(8):e185152. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Importance: Previous work has underscored subnational inequalities that could impede additional health gains in Kenya.

Objective: To provide a comprehensive assessment of the burden, distribution, and change in inequalities in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) interventions in Kenya from 2003 to 2014.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This population-based cross-sectional study used data from the 2003, 2008, and 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys. Read More

Public Health 2019 Feb 9;167:41-49. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address:

Objectives: Using 542,159 vaccination records from children born between April 1, 2007, and March 31, 2012, in the Michigan Care Improvement Registry and data from the American Community Survey, we determine if neighbourhood-level characteristics at the Census tract level and block level are associated with low uptake of the fourth dose of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP4).

Study Design: This study was a cross-sectional study.

Methods: We used exploratory factor analysis to determine important socio-economic factors at the Census block level and tract level. Read More

Arch Pediatr 2019 Feb 10;26(2):56-64. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Association française de pédiatrie ambulatoire (AFPA), 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France; Association Clinique et thérapeutique infantile du Val-de-Marne (ACTIV), 94100 Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France; Service de néonatologie, unité Court Séjour, Petits Nourrissons, centre hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, 94010 Créteil France; Université Paris Est, IMRB-GRC GEMINI, 94010 Créteil, France. Electronic address:

Objectives: The vaccine schedule was changed in 2013 in France, which resulted in fewer vaccinations. However, to maintain disease protection, both vaccine timeliness and high coverage should be respected. In the context of growing vaccine hesitancy, we aimed to describe compliance with the immunization program according to the age recommended for each dose for non-preterm children less than 2 years old. Read More

Can J Rural Med 2019 Jan-Mar;24(1):7-12

Primary Healthcare Research Unit, Discipline of Family Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.

Introduction: The Canadian island of Newfoundland has a long history of fishing; however, no study to date has developed a regional profile of fishhook injuries on its east coast.

Methods: To this end, we conducted a retrospective review of fishhook injuries at all Newfoundland East coast emergency departments from 2013 to 2015. Patient presentations were reviewed for the date of arrival, sex of the patient, location of fishhook injury, tetanus immunisation status, anaesthetic utilisation, diagnostic imaging, antibiotic management and technique of removal. Read More

Am Fam Physician 2019 Jan;99(2):109-116

University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

More than 750,000 persons in the United States inject opioids, methamphetamine, cocaine, or ketamine, and that number is increasing because of the current opioid epidemic. Persons who inject drugs (PWID) are at higher risk of infectious and noninfectious skin, pulmonary, cardiac, neurologic, and other causes of morbidity and mortality. Nonjudgmental inquiries about current drug use can uncover information about readiness for addiction treatment and identify modifiable risk factors for complications of injection drug use. Read More

Vaccine 2019 Feb 7;37(8):1030-1037. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Centro de Referencia para Imunobiologicos Especiais, Divisão de Clinica de Molestias Infecciosas e Parasitarias, Hospital das Clinicas, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Departamento de Molestias Infecciosas e Parasitarias da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

During the last decades pertussis incidence raised globally. Several vaccination strategies targeting adults to reduce pertussis among young infants have been proposed, including vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs). The aim of this study was to analyse, by performing a systematic review of literature, published papers that evaluated Tdap coverage among HCWs, variables associated with vaccine uptake and efforts implemented to raise vaccination rates. Read More

Commun Dis Intell (2018) 2018 16;42. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of Sydney and The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia.

This report summarises Australian passive surveillance data for adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) for 2016 reported to the Therapeutic Goods Administration and describes reporting trends over the 17-year period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2016. There were 3,407 AEFI records for vaccines administered in 2016; an annual AEFI reporting rate of 14.1 per 100,000 population. Read More

Med Lett Drugs Ther 2018 Nov;60(1560):185-192

Front Immunol 2018 20;9:3049. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Division of Bacterial Allergenic and Parasitic Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States.

The inability of infants to mount proper follicular helper T (T) cell response renders this age group susceptible to infectious diseases. Initial instruction of T cells by antigen presenting cells and subsequent differentiation into T cells are controlled by T cell receptor signal strength, co-stimulatory molecules and cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-21. In immunized adults, IL-6 promotes T development by increasing the expression of CXCR5 and the T master transcription factor, B cell lymphoma 6. Read More

Neurotox Res 2019 Jan 3. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Laboratorio de Neuroquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, 14 Sur y Av. San Claudio CU, Col. San Manuel, 72570, Puebla, Mexico.

Reports indicate that striatal dopaminergic damage induced by 6-hydoxydopamine (6-OHDA) can be blocked by C-terminal domain of tetanus toxin (Hc-TeTx), suggesting possible therapeutic potential of Hc-TeTx in Parkinson's disease (PD). Pramipexole (PPX), a D2/D3 dopaminergic agonist, is currently used in PD treatment. The purpose of this study was to gain some understanding of the actions of each drug, including potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and importantly, to determine whether the combination of the two drugs would be superior to each alone. Read More

Ethiop J Health Sci 2018 Sep;28(5):547-554

Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Background: Unresolved questions remain concerning the protective effect and duration of immunity acquired from mothers. This study investigated persistence of immunity against tetanus in the first two weeks of life among neonates in Nigeria.

Methods: In a longitudinal study, 244 primiparous mothers and their newborns were consecutively recruited at 16 selected Primary Healthcare Centres in Ibadan, Nigeria. Read More